“Handmade for Mother” Mother’s Day Activities @ Alberton (26-05-2018)

Submitted by mark on Wednesday, May 9th, 2018 at 8:50 pm.

April 26

Olwyn Bertram-Ellison with flowers. (Image HNZ Media Release)

MEDIA RELEASE

Handmade for Mother

Fresh flowers, vintage tea-cups and glassware, and the traditional handicrafts of felting and crochet will come together at Auckland’s Alberton this May as part of a programme of activities for Mother’s Day.

Founded in 1908 by American Anna Jarvis following a memorial service for her mother (a US Civil War nurse and peace activist), Mother’s Day was formalised as a celebration of all mothers in 1914 and took off around the world. Jarvis, however, soon became disillusioned with the commercialisation of the holiday by retailers and card companies and urged a boycott. Instead of buying gifts and pre-made cards she insisted mothers should be honoured with handmade cards and letters expressing love and gratitude.

In that spirit, participants at Alberton’s workshops on 12 and 13 May can make things for and with their mums, learning floral art, felting, embroidery and beading or extending their crochet skills. The workshops are followed by afternoon tea and include entry to explore the house.